Teeth Whitening

 

Teeth stains are inevitable due to our consumption of so many different foods and beverages. Over time, coloured products like soft drinks, coffee, red wine and other foods will take their toll on the natural whiteness of your tooth. Fortunately, advanced teeth whitening technology lets us whiten your teeth without adversely affecting the structure of your tooth enamel.

Almost all whitening methods are similar in concept, but some are much more effective because of the way the whitening material is applied to the teeth.

Almost all whitening methods are similar in concept, but some are much more effective because of the way the whitening material is applied to the teeth. Another factor is the concentration of the material.

Two primary methods

The two main methods of professional whitening are tray whitening and in-office whitening. In tray whitening, an impression is taken and a custom tray is made to fit over your teeth. Because the tray is custom-fitted precisely to your teeth, the result is more likely to be consistent across your mouth than when using generic trays from retail products that are not specific to the shape of your teeth. The custom fit also reduces the risk of burning sensation on the gums.

A supply of whitening gel is provided and you wear the tray for a few hours each day (techniques differ) for a period of time until an acceptable result is achieved. A normal side effect is that your teeth will be more sensitive than normal for a few days.

Though less convenient for you, in-office whitening is the most efficient means of whitening. There are a number of different types used, but the process is very similar for these methods; you can have your teeth whitened in one session and achieve significant results. Dr. Cadigan will give you more detailed information and help you decide which method is more suitable for you and your teeth.

Convenient instructions for your home bleaching kit

If you chose a home bleaching kit that you can apply yourself using our custom-made tray, follow these simple instructions to ensure the best results.

  1. Brush and floss your teeth before you start.
  2. Apply a small dot of gel to the inside of the custom tray at each tooth (front 12 teeth are sufficient).
  3. Place the trays in your mouth and wipe away any excess gel that may extrude onto your gums (this avoids burns).
  4. Leave in your mouth for one hour unless you experience pain. If there is pain, discontinue immediately.
  5. After one hour, remove trays and rinse your mouth. You may also opt to now use the desensitizer in the custom trays as described in step 2.
  6. Do not eat or drink any staining foods for at least one hour after bleaching.
  7. Repeat these steps for 2 weeks to achieve maximum results.